What is it that makes some chinese amplifiers emit a rather nasty stank? Every one I have owned/seen has this nasty odor about it. Just wondering what it is, perhaps solder or some common smelly parts? The stink has been acutely observed in at least the following products: bada ph1 TAD 150...

I am trying out an audio technica "atus" brand mixer and it sounds better than I thought it would. Picked it up used for 15$ and figured I couldn't go wrong, plus now I can hook up multiple tables So if you have an opinion about mixers with particularly exceptional phono stages post here...

Planning on using the benchmark as a preamp in a 2.1 setup, any recommendations or thoughts on the best adaptors appreciated. For instance, what is all this floating pin nonsense and need I worry about it in this scenario?

A friend's old AA headamp finally bit the dust, does anyone know if AA gear is still serviceable? Any reputable techs on the board have experience with these? Thanks!

My folks have to replace their cd changer so I recommended they get a dvd/cd changer to catch up with the dvd era! Anyone have strong opinions on what they should look for? 100-150$ range, nothing fancy required. Good bargains on the net appreciated, otherwise they will have to go someplace...

Broke as usual so I am forced to make a very difficult decision, keep the Thorens 166 MKII or 145 MKII. I love them both dearly, but have to choose between the convenience of the 145 and the beauty of the 166. Both of the tables have the unscrewable arms and both appear to be stock. The 166...

Thought this might be a good idea, people can post what they are looking for and others can offer gear of their own, or perhaps the best place to buy online. It would have to be a discussion lenient part of the for sale forums. thoughts?

I have two runs of canare star quad that I have haphazardly screwed into the back of my fisher 400. It works fine, but when things get shifted even the slightest bit the stray wires are prone to touch. Anyone know of some very small spades (not much room on the back of the fisher, just...

Just got this bad boy up and running today with a new budget stanton 500 MKII and it sounds really good for the money, which of course makes me wonder what a 100$ cartridge would sound like It will take some time before I have the cash to upgrade, but I want to hear what you guys think I...

Anyone know what might be causing such a problem? I know it isn't the receiver because if I flip the rca jacks the problem flips channels. Seems odd a turntable would be susceptible to such a problem! If I turn the balance almost all the way to the other channel it sounds right. Any...

I love my technics 1600 but the thorens 166 is soooo beautiful. Anyone have thoughts or opinions on the better table? Any insight appreciated!

Anyone know where I can buy these? Thanks in advance!

An audiogon user (with perfect feedback) just posted this ad for sale: "Audiogon'S Ethics are up for sale to any bidder If you want to shill products on Audiogon, even in their forums, just pay them some money and they'll let you do / say / get away with anything you want. If someone...

My apologies if this has been discussed before. Is there such a thing? Preferably one that reflects new releases. Give me a link, and thanks.

I just purchased "Music for a Glass Bead Game" after hearing Kodaly's "Duo for Violin and Violincello." What a great album!! I was delighted to discover that it is a hdcd as well, it sounds absolutely incredible. A few of the other "classical" stuff I have really enjoyed includes: Balanescu...

So I purchased an allegedly partially-restored fisher 400 on ebay. When I received it I pulled all the tubes and tested them to make sure it was safe to power on. I then tested it out for about 5 minutes bringing it up slowly on the variac, everything worked perfectly. I took it outside to blow...

Anyone know anything about these classic sennheiser cans? Also looking for suggestions on the perfect amplifier to accompany them. I have a friend who is getting back into headphones, so any information is appreciated!

Please post your reccomendations for a decent optical cable. Any links, reviews, and opinions appreciated. If you have one to get rid of feel free to send me a pm as well.

Looking for everyones opinion on headphones that maximize value while minimizing wallet damage. Curious about the AT/Beyer lines, but please chime in with any opinions from any manufacturer. I would have made this a poll but I really haven't done enough research. My apologies in advance if this...

My apologies in advance for perhaps overkilling a previously addressed subject, what searching I did left me empty handed. I got my girlfriend a pair of sr125's to replace the sr40's she was using, her only complaint is the comfort level of the pads. She fells like the phones are a bit too...

Due to my insatiable (and ridiculous) tube lust, I purchased these power tubes to roll in my mg head. Markings aside, they appear to be identical to amperex's bugle boys. Can anyone tell me anything else about them? They have an atomic logo with a symbol inside of it, and say "made by...

Does anyone know how I can get some information on this amp? The internet seems to think it never existed, can't find anything about it anywhere. It's got Dolby Surround, so I suppose it has to be at least mid-80's? Any info appreciated! It is missing the faceplate and remote, unfortunately...

I had this posted on the hifi pc thread, but thought it might be worthy of a seperate discussion: Is it possible to use the art di/o tube in d->a conversion? Could you loop an input back into the device somehow? I (unfortunately) agree that a good source really exposes the flaws in mp3's...

M-audio audiophile (spdif) -> art di/o -> mod ha-1 straightwire spdif, kimber rca's There is a low buzzing that is very apparent when I turn the volume all the way up with nothing playing. Wondering what could be causing it, since it is not apparent with the rca outs. Any suggestions...

Any suggestions, links, etc. appreciated!